Peter K..."Your "most states don't do it often" line (not your exact words) has a clutching-at-straws ring to it,"

Not at all! It is a clarification! ...and it is fact. I noted that Texas, the worst 'offender' in executions is a place *I* could not live, due to serious conflicts with my own political & cultural attitudes. (Many Texans posture seriously about seceding from the US...and not a few would allow them to go!)

and Kevin.... what am I to make of MORE long lists? And why are not various US states listed in the positions they belong...as allowing or denying the death penalty? In this matter they effective function AS separate countries.